Leaders in Kisoro District have expressed frustration over the delayed operationalization of the Kisoro Industrial Park, which has remained largely idle and is reportedly being used as grazing land for animals.
The industrial park, covering 620 acres in Kibaaya, Rukundo Town Council near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was officially handed over to the Uganda Investment Authority in 2021 by the district local government.
Launched in 2022, the project is intended to promote agro-processing, add value to agricultural products, and expand trade in regional markets including Rwanda and the DRC.
Despite these plans, no tangible developments have taken place since the park’s launch.
Abel Bizimana, Kisoro District LC5 Chairperson, expressed disappointment that the government has yet to utilize the land, which was titled under the Uganda Revenue Authority, leaving the district without control or access.
“We were really ambitious when we heard that the industrial park was to be established in Kisoro. We have waited, but so far we are disappointed. We participated in offering public land, which was finally titled in the name of Uganda Investment Authority. Our hope is that in this new 2026–2031 term, the project will be implemented,” Bizimana said.
Meanwhile, John Kamara Ninzeyimana, Member of Parliament for Bufumbira North, said he had lobbied extensively in Parliament to ensure the park was established in the Kigezi sub-region.
He expressed disappointment over the lack of development and urged the government to fast-track its operationalization.
“I did my work and fought in Parliament with other MPs from the region to establish the industrial park in Kigezi. It is frustrating that the land remains undeveloped,” Ninzeyimana stated.
Local residents, including Herbert Kiiza and Esau Imana, have also appealed to authorities to allow them to resume farming and agriculture on the land, which they used prior to its allocation for the industrial park.
The Kisoro Industrial Park is part of a wider government initiative to establish industrial parks across all sub-regions in Uganda, aimed at boosting local industry, trade, and economic development.
